BARNEYS
The best thing to come of our visit to Barneys was hearing BNers say they might never have approached the place on their own, but, in borrowing group confidence, discovered what a pleasant experience it offers. Now they look forward to going again on their own. You can tell from Barneys’ website just how far and wide their product selection runs, and it’s pretty well represented at the Chicago branch.

I know from past experience that, being in charge, I don’t tend to accomplish focused sampling at these events. I try to count heads, make sure no one looks adrift, locate the restrooms, watch the clock, and take photos. I rely on others to highlight breakthroughs just as rtamaraand others did by buzzing about Byredo Black Saffron. I applied some to my sour skin, and its sweet depths harmonized enchantingly. Furriner spoke up that he had been gifted a bottle of same, and he volunteered to run home and fetch it later so we could decant from it, catapulting him to Mr. Popular status.

The next day I wore Black Saffron home on the train, and it started to smell familiar on the drydown. I have since done a side-by-side of BS and Tom Ford Tuscan Leather. Will do same with BS and Trish McEvoy Sexy 9. Some bits of the three overlap for sure, however, each travels a completely different path. If you like one of these, you may like the others, too.BYREDO BLACK SAFFRON: Pomelo, Kashmiri saffron, juniper berries; violet, leather, rose; woods, raspberry, vetiver.TRISH McEVOY SEXY 9: Blackberry buds, Amazon lilies, mandarin; patchouli, tiare flower, osmanthus; vanilla, velvet musk, cashmere woods, sandalwood, liquid amber.TOM FORD TUSCAN LEATHER: Saffron, raspberry, thyme; olibanum, night-blooming jasmine; leather, black suede, amber wood.

Our SAs Andy and Bryce were as lovely as you hope to find in a store’s staff, and Manager Dina really saved the day by passing out bottles of water just as dehydration felt like it was setting in.

HERMESComDiva and I had pre-arranged a Bois des Iles split, so I skipped Chanel in favor of going to Hermes, as did about half our group. Lisa Bommarito guided us through Hermes’ fragrant goods and ignited lots of smiles with Mandarine Ambrée. Those opening notes especially—ripe, fresh, sweet citrus—brought out lots of ooohs and a couple of credit cards and conversation about splits.

LUNCHCannes had, regrettably, been pulled in to work Saturday morning, but she and her sister were able to rendezvous with us at lunchtime. What is uber unfair is that she got a call from work during lunch, and she had to leave without going shopping anywhere with us. I hope you get some big bonuses, C, so you can do some compensatory shopping.

The menu at Foodlife is very good, however, the noise is comparable to a rowdy high school cafeteria, so while calories provided a recharge, the atmosphere was almost energy draining. Didn’t matter, before long, we were out of there.

NEIMAN-MARCUS
Cordial manager Doug came down to greet us. He’s one of the most personable people at N-M. As others have noted of this visit and those in prior years, many of this store’s SAs come on too strong. We perfumistas know that many of the same brands can be had from different stores, and we choose to become loyal shoppers when we find a knowledgeable SA who responds to us as intelligent consumers.

SAKS
The other gals will tell you what a revelationDior’s exclusive range was. I have to confess I just kept staring at the bottles and thinking, “I don’t remember these names. How could I be 100% unaware?”

It was in the Dior zone that Kiliwia pointed out what looked like a lost, lone Penhaligon’s bottle: Iris Prima. It must have been an advance tester used for introduction to the SAs since it isn’t technically available yet. Sniffing the nozzle, I thought I could smell iris more clearly than I ever could before. I sprayed some across the top of my hand, briefly appreciated the fresh top notes and immediately got distracted by other things. Later I kept smelling my hand and finding the prettiest, soft scent—but one seemingly unrelated to the fresh iris I thought I’d planted on my hand. It wasn’t until I got home and looked up the official notes that I was convinced I really was smelling the drydown of Iris Prima. Official notes: bergamot, green amber, pink pepper; iris, jasmine sambac; musky leather, sandalwood, vetiver, vanilla, benzoin. I plan to get a sample soon.

Over at the Guerlain counter, we got to smell the uncommon Cologne du Parfumeur. Guerlain’s Thierry Wasser originally … “created this cologne for myself. I composed it at the same time as Idylle, it was my downtime. I wanted a cologne in the tradition of the great classics but with a modern twist.” Notes: lemon water, orange blossom, orange juice, lavender syrup, mint and rosemary. Lovely, classic.

Unfortunately, Cartier’s “hours” line was not available, so the much-ballyhooed L’Heure Fourgueuse remains on the to-sniff list.

NORDSTROM
Mid-afternoon, fatigue was starting to show, but we marched on to Nordstrom with waning enthusiasm. Once we found the coffee shop immediately outside the entrance to the cosmetics department, caffeine, sugar, chocolate, and chairs restored our drive, and the sparkly bottles again lured some noses. I had saved my Bond No. 9/Mothers purchase for this end-of-the-avenue store so I wouldn’t have to carry it around all day, but Nordstrom had only the big 3.4 oz. bottle, so I waived that purchase for another day. I did, however, find SA Mohammed, got his email addy, and promised I’d finally get him the charming photo I took of him with ubuandibeme during the 2009 Worldwide Basenotes Meet-Up.

At this point, the majority of us chose to hop a bus toward Merz Apothecary and Palmer House Hilton rather than hoof it, and having locals like Furriner and Chicagoista as advisors and trailblazers take the lead was a relief for me.

MERZ
As beautiful as Merz is, I was blitzed almost beyond caring and completely forgot to take photos. I can confirm that Demeter Sandalwood has earned its reputation for being a good fragrance, more so than we have come to expect from Demeter.

PALMER HOUSE HILTON
I think the photos and video say more than I can in words. It was a PG orgy of fun. For those with the appetite and gumption, a glorious dinner followed.

As for me, I repaired to my room and took a tub soak for the first time in decades, then applied some Diptyque Philosykos in oil/rollerball form, which I’d bought at N-M, to the back of my hands, and went to bed with as blissful a smelling experience as I’ve ever had.

Funny memory …
The rhythmic chant of the Michigan Avenue “Restore The 4th Amendment” protestors parade: “What do we want? Privacy! When do we want it? Now! Why do we want it? Noneofyourbusiness!”

Appreciation for …Kiliwia’s daughter Jenn, who deserves the good-sport award for putting up with us old ladies and our insanity.
Many kind words and gifts—samples, decants, even a whole bottle—fromRHM, rtamara, ComDiva, Furriner, and sentimental gifter from afar, Mike. Every single person was a delight, even if experienced for only fleeting moments. Thanks for the memories, AnnWeir, Elizrj, Jodi,Matildaben, Larry, Schilling, Chicagoista, Rin_nd. I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody and scads of details. What’s Terry/Terri’s onscreen name? Help me out here, kids. (That’s Tavogelsp, I think. Thanks for the help, Kiliwia.)

First segment: This noisy chatter was constant all day long—over coffee, in the shops, along the sidewalk. Second segment: (L to R) Matildaben, Rtamara, RHM, ComDiva. Keep in mind, we know each other only online, yet our affection and jubilation erupts immediately upon real-world contact.

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Thanks again to our dear Quarry for her stellar organization and for re-posting (and to Twolf for sticky-ing the thread... Is "sticky-ing" even a word?)!!!

My shipped-to-Boston Dior Collection Privee Oud Ispahan from our Chicago meet-up adventures has arrived, and I promptly scurried up to the bedroom and spritzed just my wrists... Ten minutes later, dear daughter comes upstairs and says from the hall "Wow, it smells like perfume all the way out here!" :-)

On a semi-related topic: I think I may have accidentally put my P1 Slumberhouse (all of them) and Penhaligon's Zizonia samples in the sample swapfest in Chicago... Delighted to have them off and away in the BN family, but if anyone here has a spare sample of any of these lying around, would you PM me to discuss a possible trade? I still need to test them all. And I bake... :

It’s thought that people who hope too much will just waste their life away and never get down to doing any real work. They’re confusing Hope with Wish, its lazy cousin... When Wish whispers, “Something is just around the corner,” what comes or not is never what was wished for. When Hope whispers “Something is just around the corner,” something always is. -- Charlie Elberson

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

IMG_3340.jpg I have been in such a limbo since the server transition and it was so nice to log on tonight and see this new version of our meetup thread posted. I took relatively few photos this time, I think I was so absorbed in the moment that it overlooked the photo opps and it is wonderful to see the photos taken by my meetup mateys!
The urn detail pictured here was taken because it reminds me of the Etiquette Dauphin label on my 1950s era teardrop bottle of Shalimar edt.
As I mentioned in the lost in limbo thread, Men in Shalimar was a theme for me during this trip from start to finish! Starting with my seat mate on the airplane who asked" Can men really wear Shalimar?" and ending with Mr. Matildaben becoming a virtual nose magnet when he spritzed from my decant of the vintage juice which accompanied me for the weekend.
A few more photos:IMG_3332.jpg
Lovely ladies who lunch: elizrj, chicagoista, killiwaIMG_3337.jpg
Mr. & Mrs. Matiladaben relax on the art deco couch we all wanted to bring home with us. Note the Merz Apothecary bag...IMG_3333.jpg
A highlight from my trip was strolling down Michigan Avenue (I think that's where we were) with Chicagoista and she showed me the sights and we got to know one another a bit - she stopped to snap a photo of me on the river. Note my Saks bag - within was my one full bottle purchase which encapsulated the trip for me - a bottle of classic L'Heure Bleue edp. All day I had been drawn to meditative, incense based scents, and a few cool iris beauties, but none hit the mark til I sniffed L'Heure Nuit, ($280 smackaroos, only two bottles remaining at Saks - eek!) which led me to revisit the classic and sure enough - it tugged on the heartstrings and I decided to bring a bottle home with me. Little did I know that lovely fragonista ann_weir had a bottle of her own she wished to gift me. Would you think me greedy that I now have two? IMG_3309.jpg
Above is one of my first views of the Windy City upon arrival. I sat in the garden across from the Art Institute, before meeting up with Mr & Mrs. Matildaben for our afternoon of art. I thought about what it may have been like back in 1948 when Mom and Dad met and fell in love.
Chicago, xoxo!
My funny story:
Got stopped by security at the airport heading home - why? My weapon of beauty from Guerlain: Rouge G Madame Batifole - at first they did not believe it was a lipstick Here she is pictured below, in hand, and next to mom's vintage Stratton powder and lipstick compact.Chi9.jpgChi5.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

I did take notes on impressions of new scents samples and will post soon. Just want to say how much I enjoyed meeting and spending time with each and every person on the trip - you are truly special folk and I feel very fortunate to have enjoyed the pleasure of your company.

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Awesome thread! Wow! What a great time! Mr. Matildaben looks to be in fine form - please say hi for me! I enjoyed meeting him in Vegas. He is such a trooper to come along for these meetings of the fragrance fanatics! And all you ladies look so great, too! Love the videos. Really great to put some faces to all these names!

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Well, Happy Sunday...here is my shortlist of new discoveries and loves from the Chicago trip...

Houbigant Oranger en Fleurs, Matildaben pointed me in this direction, for me it's the definition of pretty and feminine, a perfect "boudoir" scent and very ladylike. The notes are listed as Ylang-ylang, Peony, Indian tuberose, Turkish rose, Jasmine sambac, Tuscan Iris, Siam Benzoin, and Madagascar Vanilla, so it's not a surprise that I like it, it has so many of my favorite notes. Oranger en Fleurs has a delicacy to it which appeals to me, and makes it very versatile in my opinion.

Silver Iris by Atelier - this was introduced to me by a very persistent SA at Neiman Marcus, and I would have given it more time, but I felt bombarded by the attention from the staff there. I intend to revisit this on a trip to NY since I believe there is an Atelier Boutique in the city. I also enjoyed Vanille Insense from the same house, though I am not seeking a vanilla to add to my collection.

Dior New Look 1947 was my personal favorite from the Privee collection, followed closely by Mitzah and Oud Ispahan. The collection caused quite the stir amongst our merry band of basenoters, I must say! I would have spent more time with it, but I was too busy sampling L'Heure Nuit and confirming that Derby is something I definitely would enjoy on hubby!
(notes of 1947 were listed as peony, ylang-ylang, pink pepper, jasmine sambac, rose, tuberose, iris, benzoin, and vanilla - I am definitely being drawn to tuberose at the moment.)

pale grey mountain small black lake by Hylnds was the first scent of the day that caught my attention at Barney's and Mr. Matildaben graciously modeled it for us all. It was the first that earned skin time for me as well, and though I loved it, it was a bit too dry and bitter to satisfy my needs of the day, though it did set a tone for my day long search for the perfect contemplative scent to bring home with me.

Speaking of tuberose: I also fell in love with Gardenia Passion (annick goutal) and have my eye on Tuberose Animale by Histoires de Parfums, which could not be found in Chicago at all.

Oh and one more delight found at Nordstrom's: a sniff of contemporary Chamade made me swoon! I see why RHM is head over heels in love with this classic!

"Like a lobster with a pearl in its claw, the beet held the jasmine firmly without crushing or obscuring it. Beet lifted jasmine, the way a bullnecked partner lifts a ballerina, and the pair came on stage on citron's fluty cue. As if jasmine were a collection of beautiful paintings, beet hung it in the galleries of the nose, insured it against fire or theft, threw a party to celebrate it. Citron mailed the invitations." Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins p. 189

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Good question, Curly.
Here's our Chicago map marked with meet-up hot spots: http://goo.gl/maps/jUqY1
The Magnificent Mile is really about that length, so we who stayed at the Palmer House took bus 147 to the north end of the line and walked south. Most of us were so pooped after Nordstrom, we took a short bus ride to Merz.
If we had access to the original planning thread, I'd post the map screenshot here directly.

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

After lunch & the very pushy people at Neiman Marcus, we arrived at what was one of the highlights, for me. SAKs Christian Dior La Collection Privee.
I admit to going just a little bit wild.IMG_0482.jpg

Then there was my wonderful roomie, we certainly had a memorable first visit. Here's just one sample of our adventures.IMG_0478.jpg

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Originally Posted by Quarry

Good question, Curly.
Here's our Chicago map marked with meet-up hot spots: http://goo.gl/maps/jUqY1
The Magnificent Mile is really about that length, so we who stayed at the Palmer House took bus 147 to the north end of the line and walked south. Most of us were so pooped after Nordstrom, we took a short bus ride to Merz.
If we had access to the original planning thread, I'd post the map screenshot here directly.

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Thanks for sharing the pictures and the trip report. So great to see both great fragrances reviewed, but above all, wonderful Basenotes members among themselves- in beautifully taken and upbeat, heartwarming pictures.

Re: 2013 Basenotes Chicago Meet-Up Trip Report (re-do)

Was the Mollie Parni on cotton balls, J? I saw a bunch of cotton balls in a baggie, smelled them, but couldn't smell anything.
The day was so chaotic, I don't know how some people sussed out everything they were smelling. This is why I've suggested what we could really use is a quiet retreat weekend away from the shops. If each person brought decants of their fave frags, we could savor the experience and take time to wine and dine and socialize in a less-costly location.

Just a thought...I know there are several BNers in the west: Mimi, Knit, Cello, Whitefluffy, Danieq, Cestrum Nocturnum(but don't think she posts anymore) and Haunani, that's all I can think of. But I realize that may not be convenient to those who are more on the east side.